Joined by New Executive Council Members
The FIAT/IFTA General Assembly took place on 8 October at the Cinemateca Brasileira in São Paulo, as part of the 50th FIAT/IFTA World Conference. Members reelected Virginia Bazán-Gil (RTVE, Head of Archives), as FIAT/IFTA President by acclamation, and elected new members to the Executive Council.
The General Assembly opened with a report on the 2024–2026 period, presented by Interim General Secretary Delphine Wibaux (INA, Head of International Affairs) together with the new General Secretary, Patrick McIntyre (NFSA, CEO). Over these two years, FIAT/IFTA welcomed 33 new members and held two World Conferences, in Rome (2025) and São Paulo (2026). It also continued its seminars, expert roundtables and publications, strengthened its presence in Latin America, and established a new collaboration with Public Media Alliance (PMA).
Treasurer Brecht Declercq (RSI, Head of Archives) then presented the examination of accounts for the past financial year. He also presented a proposal to adjust membership fees, which have remained largely unchanged for three decades. The proposal, an average increase of 10%, will allow FIAT/IFTA to maintain and improve its services to members, including through its own office, and a moderate adjustment today reduces the need for larger increases in the future. Full members voted on the proposal, and it was approved by majority.
Virginia Bazán-Gil was elected President by acclamation. The elections for the Executive Council were also held by acclamation, as the number of nominations matched the number of available seats. The newly elected members for the 2026-2030 period are:
Following her reelection as President, Virginia Bazán-Gil highlighted the role of international collaboration in the Federation’s work:
“Preserving audiovisual archives also means protecting the memory of our societies, their history and part of the rights of their people. FIAT/IFTA’s greatest strength lies in its community of professionals and in our ability to share knowledge, build connections and work together to ensure that this heritage remains accessible to future generations.”
During this new term, she intends to keep expanding the FIAT/IFTA network, strengthen cooperation between institutions, and encourage greater participation from regions and professional communities that remain underrepresented.
The General Assembly formally thanked the Executive Council 2024–2026 for its work, and especially its outgoing members:
FIAT/IFTA warmly thanks them for the time, energy and commitment they have devoted to the Federation and its members.
